According to Ted Gioia, a music journalist I trust, we are on the brink of an apocalypse. The man has often been right before, and he need only point to the people at the top of Big Tech themselves. These men (it’s always those men) have built algorithms in their enormous data centres that they no longer have under their own control. Just like in a rodeo where you can impress by... Read more
Award-winning children’s books come to life on stage, whilst new PISA figures highlight the urgency of reading skills. The day after new PISA figures once again revealed a decline in reading skills amongst Dutch young people, the theatre company Het Filiaal launched the ‘Beautiful Books Season 2026–2027’. The Utrecht-based theatre company is staging five award-winning children’s books by Annet Schaap, Pim… Read more
In the cultural sector, cyber security has long since ceased to be a matter for the IT department alone. Artificial intelligence, cloud platforms and digital dependency have radically changed the landscape. That is why DEN’s new Cyber Security Scan is more important than ever.
On Sunday 22 November 2026, *EN NOU GAAN WE EVEN HELEMAAL UIT ONZE PLAAT* (a top-class show) (6+) by Maas theatre and dance and Acteursgroep Wunderbaum will premiere at Theater Zuidplein in Rotterdam. This marks the first time that Maas and Wunderbaum have collaborated on a production for the main auditorium, and the first time that Wunderbaum has created a show for young audiences. In this musical, absurd and... Read more
The cultural sector in North Brabant is deeply involved in society. It places great emphasis on public engagement, demonstrates a strong commitment to social projects, boasts a financially sound voluntary sector, and is reaching an ever-wider audience of children and young people through cultural education. At the same time, the cultural infrastructure is relatively modest, and participation in cultural activities lags behind that of other... Read more
Minister Letschert is today initiating the procedure to withdraw the licence of Ongehoord Nederland (ON!). She has just announced this to ON! itself and to the House of Representatives. Minister Letschert: “There are clear rules for broadcasters who wish to produce programmes using taxpayers’ money. And if you consistently fail to comply with them, there has to be a limit. It is not an easy decision, but I cannot... Read more
Dominique Vleeshouwers (34) has been a percussionist ever since he put together a drum kit out of pots and bottles at primary school. After studying classical music at the Amsterdam Conservatoire, he went on to develop into a musician who uses anything that can make a sound in his art. He travelled the world and found similarities between the percussion instruments people use and the language in which they communicate with... Read more
In *El corazón de Ester*, which had its Italian national premiere at the Teatro Vittoria as part of Short Theatre 2026, the Spanish artist Alberto Cortés takes on the role of Ester, a 19th-century woman who slowly fades away as she surrenders herself to her lovers. Only fifty performances are scheduled: with each performance, Cortés loses a little bit... Read more
I’ve just left Paradiso, where this year’s annual Kunsten’92 debate was devoted to AI. What struck me was that, apart from the question or comment from the balcony at Paradiso – which, unfortunately, was impossible to follow without amplification – no attention was paid to the extremely interesting observations and recommendations made by Payal Arora, Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures at Utrecht University and founder of the Inclusive... Read more
Is art the ‘Zomergast’ guest who spends a whole year eagerly preparing for what they’re going to say about themselves during those three hours when the cameras are focused on them, or is art Janine Abbring, who prepares meticulously for a three-hour conversation with her guest, society, and everything that she – and, along with her, we, the viewers – want to know about that society? I see... Read more
ICK Dans Amsterdam’s home base opens its doors to the public, local residents, artists and partners. On Friday 11 September, Space for Dance Art on Rijnlandlaan in Amsterdam will celebrate its fifth anniversary. Under the title ‘House in Motion’, the home of ICK Dans Amsterdam is opening its doors for a festive gathering with the public, local residents, artists, partners and anyone curious about... Read more
AMSTERDAM, 3 September 2026 – With the installation of a protective plate around the centuries-old Jan van Speijk plaque in the historic boys’ courtyard, construction work on the renovation of the Amsterdam Museum began last Thursday, 3 September. The museum is set to undergo a thorough renovation over the coming years, with the preservation of its monumental features and rich history... Read more
Adam Khazhmuradov, Hendrickx Ntela and Ciro Monoarfa Goudsmit will be presenting their works-in-progress from 14 to 17 October as part of Welcome To Our Guesthouse. From Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 October, Theater Rotterdam is presenting the tenth edition of Welcome To Our Guesthouse. This year’s participants in the annual artist-in-residence programme are Adam Khazhmuradov, Hendrickx Ntela and Ciro Monoarfa... Read more
The first edition of a new networking and meet-up programme for creators and music professionals will take place on Saturday 21 November. On Saturday 21 November 2026, November Music will present the first edition of NMConnects, a new networking and meet-up programme for creators and professionals in the field of contemporary music. The programme is being developed by November Music in close collaboration... Read more
On Saturday 17 October 2026, ‘Let’s Flow’ (10+) by Maas theatre and dance will premiere at the Maaspodium in Rotterdam. This musical, physical and moving production by award-winning creator Sue-Ann Bel explores what happens in your body when you bleed and flow, and what happens when that can no longer remain a secret. Following the premiere, the production will tour the Netherlands. How do you live in... Read more
In September, the final touches will be put to the touring production *Fierder nei it Noarden* in the Tryater theatre in Leeuwarden. The director, cast and crew are rehearsing intensively for the performances, which will take place from 7 October onwards in car workshops in Heerenveen, Drachten and Leeuwarden. The raw production, accompanied by a live soundtrack, explores parent-child relationships, mental wellbeing and... Read more
The Dutch Association for the Performing Arts (NAPK) is proud to announce the nominees for the NAPK Sustainability Award 2026. With this award, the NAPK recognises organisations and/or individuals in the performing arts sector who are making an inspiring contribution to a sustainable future. This year, the jury has selected five nominees, each of whom contributes in a unique way to... Read more
Guido van Nispen writes: "Whilst the debate on AI often centres on technology and copyright, a much more fundamental shift is taking place in Brussels. A seemingly technical letter to Parliament shows that Europe is increasingly beginning to regard culture, journalism and democratic resilience as a single, coherent whole."
November Music Festival 2026 has announced its full programme, featuring, amongst others, Thomas Azier as Artist in Residence, Roomful of Teeth and Reinier Baas. The 34th edition of November Music will take place from 20 to 29 November 2026 in ’s-Hertogenbosch. November Music challenges artists to use Theater aan de Parade, the Verkadefabriek and new venues in Den Bosch as their stage. Among others... Read more
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